Study On Habitat Selectivities And Community Protection Awareness Of The Reintroducd Equus Przewalskii In Mt. Kalamaili Ungulate Nature Reserve

The habitat selectivities by reintroduced Przewalski’s horses(Equus przewalskii)were studied with transect lines methods in the Mt. Kalamaili Ungulate NatureReserve in summer (from June to August) and autumn(September to October),2011.In summer, we investigated199of the ingestion quadrats, and99were used byPrzewalski’s horses; measured illutation quadrats163, among which63were used byPrzewalski’s horses; rest quadrats was measured by163, and63were used byPrzewalski’s horses. In autumn, we investigated204of the ingestion quadrats, a halfof which were used by Przewalski’s horses; measured illutation quadrats151, amongwhich49were used by Przewalski’s horses; rest quadrat was measured by152, and52were used by Przewalski’s horses.We set up13relevant habitat factors，the resultsshowed that reintroduced Przewalski’s horses feeding habitat, illutation habitat andrest habitat characteristics respectively show as follows:(1) In summer, the reintroduced Przewalski’s horse feeding habitatcharacteristics: preferences choose semi-sunny and semi-cloudy slope, lower slopeposition, random select no-slope aspect, flat beach and middle slope position;preferences choose near the water source(＜2000m), and not very near humandisturbance(＜2000m); select the plant coverage in10-30%of moderate scope,especially choose Stipa capillata coverage relatively high habitat，Random selectionof plant species in the high range.(2) In autumn, the reintroduced Przewalski’s horse feeding habitatcharacteristics: preferences choose semi-sunny and semi-cloudy slope, no-slopeaspect, middle slope position and select flat beach, choose near the water source(＜2000m) and interference was moderate area, disturbance distance2000-5000m, selectthe plant coverage in10-30%of moderate scope, choose Stipa capillata andCeratoides lateens coverage middle-high aera. (3) In summer, the Przewalski’s horse illutation habitat characteristics: selectgentle slope (＜20°), semi-sunny and semi-cloudy slope, lower slope position and flatbeach. Select the plant coverage(10-20%) and Stipa capillata(10-30%) in moderatescope, and choose Ceratoides lateens coverage(<5%) in low aera, under rich habitatof plant species number(5-10), but in low family(<5). Average elevation altitudegreater than1000m. They often select near the hidden objects and moderateconcealment level (10-30%) and randomly selected hidden lower level(<10%) astheir illutation habitat.(4) In autumn, the reintroduced Przewalski’s horse illutation habitatcharacteristics: select semi-sunny and semi-cloudy slope, no-slope aspect and flatbeach, random select middle slope position. Select plant total coverage(0-20%) in lowand middle range, and choose Stipa capillata(10-20%) and Ceratoides lateenscoverage(0-10%) in low and middle range, under middle range habitat of plant speciesnumber(5-10), but in low family(＜5). Average elevation altitude lower than900m.They often select near the hidden objects (<50m) and low concealment level as theirillutation habitat.(5) In summer, the reintroduced Przewalski’s horse rest habitat characteristics:select shady slope, semi-sunny and semi-cloudy slope, high and lower slope position,slope degree for10-30°. Select plant total (＜10%) and Stipa capillata coverage (＜10%) in low, but choose Ceratoides lateens coverage in high and middle range, underlow range habitat of plant species number and family(＜5). They often select near thewater source and disturbance distance＜2000m, average altitude900m-1000m. Theyoften select moderate distance near the hidden objects (＜200m) and low concealmentlevel (＜10%) as their illutation habitat.(6) In autumn, the reintroducd Przewalski’s horse rest habitat characteristics:select semi-sunny and semi-cloudy, high and middle slope position, slope degree＞20°. Near the water source and disturbance distance＜5000m, and select plant species number (5-10)and family (5-10) in medium range area, Stipa capillatacoverage(＜10%) in low, but choose Ceratoides lateens coverage(＜5%) in high andmiddle range, low level hidden area.(7) The four township communities have significant differences responses onsome survey questions, such as the question of the Mt. Kalamaili Ungulate NatureReserve and consciousness of the reintroducd Przewalski’s horse. The four townshipcommunities all have a positive attitude of the reintroducd Przewalski’s horseprotection.(8) The reintroducing Przewalski’s horses area exists a pastures conflicts betweenreintroducing Przewalski’s horses and livestocks, and which related with the distancefrom the township. Increasing with distance from the reintroducing Przewalski’shorses area, the local nomads have a poor consciousness of protecting thereintroducing Przewalski’s horses.(9) The community nomads know a very little protection laws aboutreintroducing Przewalski’s horses.